When the landlord of a Yorkshire tavern is killed in plain sight Freda Simonson the only witness to the crime becomes plagued with guilt believing the wrong man has been convicted. Following her death it seems that the truth will never be uncovered in the peaceful village of Langcliffe. But it just so happens that Freda's nephew is courting the renowned amateur sleuth Kate Shackleton who decided to holiday in Langcliffe with her indomitable teenage niece Harriet. When Harriet strikes up a friendship with a local girl whose young brother is missing the search leads Kate to uncover another suspicious death not to mention an illicit affair.